Feasting on God’s kingdom

 

Bob Bennett “Moveable Feast”

 

About six days ago I was meditating on the fact that the law was a great gift while I was reading Joshua 1:8.  In reading Psalm 1, I found a lot of things there that correlated with Joshua. The person in Psalm 1 was feasting on God’s kingdom. That’s what the law is there for – to point me to the kingdom of God. When I approach the law, I think my problem is that I create obligations that do not exist where Jesus uses it to penetrate my heart and wants to set me free from those obligations. Most of my obligations come in the form of me wanting to get along with others and I see the same taking place with them towards me.

I am reminded again that I live dependent on meditating on the word of God.

Being a disciple means that I will not listen to a voice that does not line up with that Word. For in rejecting the truth and disregarding what I read, I will end up doing my own thing. Without a standard for living, I will end up with a lifestyle separated from God. Separated from Him, I reject His love and His gift of eternal life.

I usually find myself getting “dry” when I am not listening. The illustration of a tree is a good one because a tree without moisture will have its leaves wither and fall.

The shift takes place when I make the decision and maintain the habit of seeking Him every day.

I need to be in a position where I can continually take on nutrients. When issues of life come against me, my roots grow deeper and stronger.

It may be an ancient text but it is a message, both about an infinite God and from an infinite God. Eternity itself would be insufficient for us to exhaust its depths. It is something we need to concentrate on, consider it from every angle and allow it to transform us.

Blessed is the man[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3  ESV

 

 

Standard

The law is a great gift

 

When I look at the Old Testament law, I see it designed to line me up with the kingdom of God. It’s a great gift.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8  ESV

I believe this verse is one of my most important ones that I use to guide my life and Joshua is my most favourite of the Old Testament heroes.

 

 

Standard